Winter doldrums no more: Break out the dulcimers

It has a sound that's unique, and pretty much anyone can pick it up and play a tune instantly. It's not well known, but it has quite a following with all ages represented all over the world.

MELANIE VANDERVEER

It has a sound that's unique, and pretty much anyone can pick it up and play a tune instantly. It's not well known, but it has quite a following with all ages represented all over the world.

It's the dulcimer.

This instrument comes in two types: mountain dulcimer and hammered dulcimer. And, it's popular enough to have a club that meets in the Pocono region once a month, and a Pocono Winter Dulcimer Festival every year.

The group meets at the Hughes Library in Stroudsburg once a month on the third Monday, 7 to 9 p.m.

"We usually have about 20 to 25 people and sometimes more," said Norm Williams of Breinigsville, coordinator and co-founder of the group and festival. "This year is our 11th annual festival. We're only the third or fourth oldest dulcimer festival in the Northeast."

The club formed back when Williams and his friend Robert Mallalieu of Stroudsburg found they shared a common interest.

"Bob and I met many years ago and found we shared an interest in folk and gospel music, and folk instruments. Bob got a dulcimer in 1995, and my wife gave me one for my birthday in 1997. So we decided to start a dulcimer club," Williams said. "We knew a couple of other people and had a kickoff event and started the club. It was in 2002 on a whim when we decided to have a festival."

The first festival had more than 50 participants, and each year it has gradually increased.

"We now have about 500 people on our mailing list," Williams said. "People come from near and far. The farthest to come to the festival was someone from New Mexico. This year, I had a woman call from Texas to tell me she made plane reservations and to find out where to stay."

"People have said this is the best one-day festival in the country," Mallalieu said. "The feedback we get is very affirming in terms of what we try to do and how we do it. It's a fabulous experience. The dulcimer community is a group of wonderful people."

The festival is for both mountain, or Appalachian, dulcimer and the hammered dulcimer. Each has a unique sound and a different method of playing.

"The mountain dulcimer is so accessible in playing a song quickly. If you know a basic scale, you can play a song pretty quickly," Mallalieu said. "The hammered dulcimer is much more involved. If you can understand how a scale works, you can begin to play simple melodies pretty quickly. With proper instruction and encouragement, anyone can learn to play."

In fact, Mallalieu said it's so easy to learn that the last three mountain dulcimer championships have been won by children.

"It's fascinating how many young people are picking up the instrument," Mallalieu said. "And they play it extraordinarily well."

The 11th annual Winter Dulcimer Festival offers plenty of workshops. Whether you are a first-time dulcimer player or an expert enthusiast of the instrument, there's a workshop for all levels for both types of dulcimers.

"For both dulcimers, we have discovery classes at the festival. They are designed for someone who has never played before," Mallalieu said. "By the end of the day, they are playing several tunes and are comfortable with it."

For anyone who doesn't own a dulcimer, one can be rented for the day at the festival.

"Dulcimers can vary in price. You can buy a student model or make one out of cardboard," said Carol Walker of Denville, N.J., committee member and musician. "We have vendors at the festival with good quality dulcimers for sale."

There is also an evening concert by Gary Gallier and Dan Duggan with Ted Yoder and Carol Walker. The workshops run from 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.